Belgium go into Belgium vs Iran after a 1-1 draw with Egypt that left more questions than answers. They are winless in their last three World Cup matches, a sharp drop after the Red Devils won 11 of 13 World Cup games in the previous period before this slump. Group G is level on one point apiece, so another flat evening would leave little margin for error.

How Belgium can raise the level

Rudi Garcia’s main point is simple enough. He wants more rhythm, intensity and attacking clarity than Belgium managed in the opener. That is the right demand, because this team already has the talent to control a game, but not much evidence from the first match that it will do so automatically.

The attacking names are familiar, with Jérémy Doku, Leandro Trossard, Kevin De Bruyne, Thibaut Courtois, Thomas Meunier, Dodi Lukebakio and Charles De Ketelaere all in the mix. The bigger issue is not the profile of the squad, but whether Belgium can turn that quality into a sharper attacking performance against a team that will not make life easy.

Why Iran can make this awkward

Iran are not arriving as tourists. They twice came from behind against New Zealand to draw 2-2, which is the sort of response that keeps a group game alive for much longer than Belgium would like. Amir Ghalenoei will hope that same resilience can make life uncomfortable for Belgium.

There is also the practical edge of a side that has been through awkward logistics around the tournament. Iran’s squad are not permitted to stay overnight on US soil and returned to their base in Tijuana, Mexico, after their opener. That does not win matches on its own, but it does sit alongside a team that already showed some grit.

Belgium still look the stronger side on paper, and they should have more of the ball. But if the opener is any guide, the burden is on Garcia’s players to show they can make that count rather than drift into another underwhelming draw.

Romelu Lukaku remains part of the selection debate after winning his 127th cap against Egypt and going seven World Cup matches without scoring. Garcia may decide that Lukaku is still better used as an impact substitute rather than risked from the start. That sounds like a reasonable option, because Belgium need a sharper start more than they need sentiment.

Compiled by the ClutchBrief Desk with AI assistance, cross-checked against 3 outlets. How we work →